#2.04: The “Customer is Always Right” Issue Give customers more control over their subscriptions, and you’ll keep them reading and keep them buying. 1> Let Them Choose Titles 2> Let Them Choose Timing 3> Let Them Change Their Minds 1> Let Them Choose Titles Offer more (shorter) newsletters on many topics instead of one general-purpose […]

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Social Networking websites (such as LinkedIn, Spoke, Tribe, Visible Path, Orkut, and AlwaysOn) can be great business tools or a major annoyance. Learn how to use them well. 1> Find Your Forum 2> Perfect Professional Presentation 3> Invite the Already Interested 4> Keep to Close Connections 5> Write it Well 6> Refer Reluctantly 1> Find […]

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#2.03: The “Use the Preview Window” Issue Newspapers know that the top of the first page drives sales. In email, it’s what shows up in the preview. 1> Don’t Waste the Space 2> Use Your Action Areas 3> Bury that Banner 1> Don’t Waste the Space If people don’t see something they want in your […]

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Make your web page much more effective by clearing out the clutter and deleting the distractions. 1> Fewer Banners, Better Results 2> Eliminate Extra Links 3> Clean Out the Checkout 4> Check It Out: Red Alert 1> Fewer Banners, Better Results A boatload of banner ads on a web page will cancel themselves out and […]

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#2.02: The “Opt-In Offline” Issue Use your offline marketing to get great new subscribers for your online newsletters. 1> Capture Subscribers at Conferences 2> Pull Them in on Phone Calls 3> Reel Them in at Retail 1> Capture Subscribers at Conferences Ask for email sign-ups at any event that involves meeting folks in person. Face-to-face […]

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Airports can be horrible places — but they are great places to find innovative marketing ideas. 1> Find a New Place to Sell 2> Sell More in the Same Place 3> Empty Spaces Can Be Excellent Service 4> Check It Out: Rants About Ads 1> Find a New Place to Sell Any crowd standing around […]

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Don’t forget those simple ways to increase sales online. A blurb here, a personal touch there can go a long way. 1> Compete on Convenience 2> Ramp Up Referrals 3> Hold Their Hands 4> Check It Out: Hide Your Email From Spammers 1> Compete on Convenience Your best customers are those that have already bought […]

I taught word of mouth marketing at Northwestern University and internet entrepreneurship at the Wharton School of Business. I’m a serial entrepreneur who founded and advises startups and nonprofits. And I’m a rabid purist on the topic of marketing ethics.

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"Damn, I Wish I'd Thought of That!" is full of unusually useful ideas borrowed from the smartest marketers. Good marketing is more about brains than bucks. The best business ideas are easy to do, inexpensive, simple, and fun. Learn to simplify your business, earn word of mouth, and thrill your customers.